Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hits out at Tottenham Hotspur over signing of Zeki Fryers

Sir Alex Ferguson has sparked a row with Tottenham Hotspur by urging the
Premier League to investigate their “blatant manipulation” of transfer
regulations to sign former Manchester United defender Zeki Fryers.

Fryers, an England Under-19 international, has agreed to a £900,000 transfer to Spurs from Standard Liège only five months after leaving Old Trafford for the Belgian club following his refusal to sign a new contract at United.

Attempts by Spurs to strike a deal for the 20 year-old last summer failed because of United’s demand for a £6million compensation fee.

However, with Fifa’s regulations ensuring much lower fees for players under the age of 23 who move to a team in a different country, Standard completed a deal for Fryers that meant United received only £250,000 in compensation for his development at Old Trafford.

Tottenham’s subsequent move to sign the Manchester-born youngster from Standard has angered Ferguson, however, and prompted the United manager to demand action against the White Hart Lane club.

“I am disappointed in Tottenham,” Ferguson said. “It is a blatant manipulation of the situation. They tried to buy him from us at the end of last season and we couldn’t agree terms, but they then took him on trial with their squad to Portugal.

“They came back and said that they couldn’t afford him, but all of a sudden, he signs for Standard Liège. I thought right then that he would go to Tottenham in the January window. I expected it.

“I’m disappointed in Tottenham and I think the League should look into it and stop the registration until they examine it. There will be a trail, through mobile phones or something. It’s obvious to me.”

Ferguson’s call for Premier League action must be supported by a formal complaint from Old Trafford for an investigation to be launched and, as of Friday night, United were understood to be considering their position while they ascertained whether Tottenham had infringed any rules to sign Fryers.

Spurs said they had nothing to hide following their move for the player. A club spokesman said: “Zeki was out of the contract in the summer, we had looked into the possibility of signing the player but were unable to agree a deal on the terms Manchester United were asking.

“Zeki chose to go to Standard Liège, who paid compensation to Manchester United. Zeki enjoyed his time at Standard. However, when they sacked their manager in November, Zeki was not part of the new manager’s plans, which he accepts and understands happens in football.

“Unfortunately a combination of this and the fact he had become homesick meant he wanted to return to England. His representatives made contact with clubs in England and this afforded us a second opportunity to sign the player.

“As per Fifa’s solidarity contribution mechanism, Manchester United will receive five per cent of the transfer fee we have paid.”

Although the 20 Premier League clubs agree to act in “good faith” when conducting transfer business, it is unclear which regulations, if any, Tottenham might have breached.

With United having received compensation from Liège, and Spurs now paying a transfer fee for the player, Ferguson’s anger appears to be based largely on his club being outmanoeuvred by Spurs.

However, should United find grounds to lodge a complaint, the Premier League would be within its powers to heed Ferguson's call for an investigation into the mobile phone records of the parties involved should such a move be required.

A similar action was taken during the Premier League’s probe into allegations that Chelsea 'tapped up’ Ashley Cole prior to his move from Arsenal in 2006.

Fryers, who made six appearances for United last season after being handed his debut in the League Cup tie against Leeds United in September 2011, was offered new terms by the club after his contract expired last summer.